Pest Control

Ants are among the world’s most successful animals. With more than 13,000 known species to date (and thousands more still to be discovered), ants are found on every landmass except …

No one enjoys unexpected houseguests, especially those of the rodent variety. Chilly winter weather makes your home extra inviting for mice escaping the cold, making it a typical time for …

As the temperatures fall and the days grow shorter, many of us spend more time inside. When the wind gets whipping, and rain or snow makes it downright miserable out …

It’s mid-September; prepare for the invasion of the eight-legged freaks! Does anybody get that reference? No? Lucky you. I had the supreme misfortune of seeing that movie in the theater, …

The wisdom to use trap crops in your garden is free for the taking. Only you have to be introduced to the concept first, to understand why it’s so important. …

No garden is complete without a set of garden pests. That is if you are growing organically. There is no possible way to be entirely bug-free. But, why would you …

If you’re a nature lover or outdoorsy type, you’re no stranger to toads and frogs. These adorable amphibians can be found in forests, ponds, creeks, and gardens all over the …

Zucchini and squash can be relatively easy plants to grow. But like most crops, there are a number of things that can go wrong. If you’re having issues with your …

If you’ve got an aphid problem you’re looking to fix, you’ve probably read that ladybugs are the solution. Using these cute little beetles to combat tiny green pests is an …

Growing your own potatoes is usually guaranteed to give you a plentiful harvest. However, there is one little thing that may get in the way of your harvesting plans – …

I was making my morning inspection of my garden, coffee in hand when I noticed something on my spinach that made my heart skip a beat. There, on one of …

It’s time, Rural Sprout Readers. They’re coming. Spring 2021. Who knows, they may already be in your neighborhood. Some sunny afternoon, you’ll walk outside expecting twittering birdsong, and instead, you’ll …

Operating under the cover of darkness, slugs and snails can do massive damage to garden plants in a very short period of time.   Each evening, they leave their cool …

Wasps have earned a reputation for being the absolute jerks of the flying insect community. With menacing looks and an aggressive behavior that fears precisely no one, wasps are equipped …

Hornworms are one of the most common tomato plant pests. If you have small children in your life, then you’ve probably read Eric Carle’s book, ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” about …

For many of us, the sight of a creepy-crawly bug in our beautiful garden stirs an age-old instinct – SQUASH IT. But wait! Before you pulverize that little critter, take …

Living right in the middle of Pennsylvania State Game Lands meant I would often enjoy my morning cup of coffee while watching a family of deer drinking water from the …

Gardening organically is often a process of trial and error. There are a range of pests that can become a problem, and organic pesticides are sometimes prescribed as a solution. …

Often associated with vampires, witchcraft, and darkness, bats have gotten a pretty bad rap in our stories and lore. And yet, bats are a sure ally in the backyard, helping …

Growing tomatoes in your garden can be a hugely rewarding experience. But inevitably, as you garden, you will encounter some problems. Often, the problems with tomato plants will be related …

You’ve seen bags of it in the health food store and you have pinned images of the fine powder stating its health benefits on Pinterest, but have you gotten around …

We all could certainly do with less pests in our lives, especially the type that bite, sting, and raid your pantry. Getting rid of household pests is an age old …

Fungus gnats are small, dark, soil dwelling flies that feed on organic matter in potting mix and other growing media. Adult fungus gnats reach a size of only 1/16 of …

Rabbits might be cute – with their huge ears, soft furry bodies, bunny hops, and wiggly noses – but that adorableness quickly fades once you see the damage they can …